Thrombosis treatment and anticoagulant therapy

Thrombosis treatment and anticoagulant therapy at the Royal Free London

Thrombosis refers to the formation of a blood clot inside a vein. Every year thousands of people in the UK develop thrombosis inside one of their blood vessels. 

Blood clotting is a natural process that prevents excessing bleeding but blood clots that do not form in response to injury can sometimes lead to life-threatening conditions like pulmonary embolism by blocking the body’s natural pathways.

These conditions are especially common in situations where there is limited movement, which is why long-distance travellers are increasingly warned of conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Nurse-led anticoagulant therapy

Our dedicated team of anticoagulation nurses is responsible for relieving blood clots and other blood disorders related to thrombosis, by administering anticoagulant drugs and therapy. Our services include:

  • anticoagulant monitoring clinic, using point of care testing (POCT).
  • ambulatory DVT service (day clinic for out-patients), managing patients referred directly from A&E to avoid hospital admission for deep vein thrombosis.
  • pre-operative consultations, to ensure that our patients’ anticoagulant therapy is safely managed and they are prepared for surgery.
  • support for patients wishing to self-administer anticoagulant drugs. Training, quality assurance and clinical advice are given.
  • initiation of new treatments like NOACS (novel direct oral anticoagulants) within NCL guidelines.

Barnet Hospital

The anticoagulant service at Barnet Hospital operates Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Telephone advice: 020 8216 4890/5330
Appointment changes: 020 8216 4374/4143

Royal Free Hospital

Anticoagulant clinic appointments: 020 7830 2099
Anticoagulant nurses: 020 7794 0500 Ext: 38384

Thrombophilia clinics at the Royal Free Hospital

The Royal Free Hospital operates three thrombophilia clinics for investigation and management of patients with complications related to thrombosis. 

We also run a separate high-risk antenatal clinic for pregnant women who are at high risk of complications from thrombosis or blood clots during pregnancy and in the period closely following the birth of a child. Find out more on our pregnancies with complications page.